Possible move to Physics Honors course best for student understanding

The magical two letters: “A” and “P.” Mix the two ingredients together, slap ’em in front of a course and you’ll create a magical student trap — think flies drawn to an electric fly killer.

With the opposite intention in mind, AP Physics teacher Kirk Davis, in conjunction with the guidance department, is exploring changing AP Physics B to Physics Honors. This proposed change comes in the wake of the recent College Board decision to change AP Physics B and AP Physics C into a two-year course sequence, AP Physics 1 and AP Physics 2. Instead of adopting this plan, the school would eliminate AP Physics from its course offerings and introduce Physics Honors.

In essence, the proposed course would combine topics covered in both AP Physics 1 and 2, such as Newtonian mechanics and electromagnetism, but taught without the strict constraints of the AP curriculum. The push for this class looks to ensure that students can properly master the class concepts, rather than just rush toward preparation for an AP exam in an eight-month period. According to Davis, however, students who take this course next year will still be adequately prepared to take either AP test.

Physics is no simple course. It is a branch of science needed in almost every scientific craft — MIT won’t even consider you if you haven’t taken physics.

With the current AP Physics structure, the course stresses preparation for the AP test instead of concepts. The proposed course will give Davis freedom to go far more in-depth into the subject rather than simply brush the topics in a test-preparatory manner.

We can hear the cries of the AP-hungry already.

With this change, there is no “AP” (though the course would more adequately prepare one for the tests) — how are students going to show their love for the sciences to colleges? It just doesn’t flow as well: One can’t brag “I took AP Bio, AP Chem and AP Physics” in the same breath, and it’s a travesty.

Jokes aside, it’s highly unlikely that colleges will punish a student for not taking an AP class that isn’t offered. You don’t look bad for taking a class that doesn’t exist. Instead, it’s more likely that this transition would lessen Saratoga’s reputation as a test-taking, automaton-student factory.

Those who are interested in the actual subject of physics, though, should be thrilled by the proposed course. The system surely won’t be easy (Davis isn’t known for fluff classes). Rather, the opportunities for true physics lovers will only increase. First-year Physics students, in motion, will stay in motion, and the resulting momentum will propel physics buffs through college.

Simple Newtonian physics.